Folding step



April 3, 1934. G. s. GOODWIN FOLDING STEP 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed June 291929 April 3, 1934. v I 5 GQQDWIN 1,953,298

FOLDING STEP Filed Jum 29. 1929 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 A ril 3, 1934. G. s.GOODWIN FOLDING STEP 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed June 29, 1929 Weds,-

Patented Apia? 3, 1934 FOLDING s'rnr George S. Goodwin, Chicago, Ill.Application June 29, 1929, Serial No. 374,777

4 Claims.

My invention relates to a folding step which is adapted to be secured tothe side of a locomotive boiler above the running board, airplanes,railway cars and the like, and is used for the purpose of enablingenginemen, machinists and other workmen to climb up the side of the bodyupon which it is placed, and can be folded out of the way when not inuse.

Another object'of my invention is the provision of a folding step whichis adapted particularly to be secured to the side of the locomotiveboiler and folded up and out of alignment of the view of the engine crewfrom the cab, so that the view forward along the side of the boiler isnot obstructed or obscured in any manner, as is the case with stepswhich are now permanently secured to the boilers and which projectoutward therefrom obstructing the view from the cab.

Another object of my invention is to provide a structure having stepsfoldable in recesses in the body of the structure, thus reducing airresistance, improving the appearance of the structure, and providingsteps available for use when needed.

It has been common in the past to provide steps along side thelocomotive boiler to enable the engine crew, machinists and workmen toclimb to the top of the boiler for the purpose of making repairs,cleaning the boiler jacket, or for filling.

the sandbox and the like, these steps being permanently secured to theboiler and projecting outward therefrom. In modern construction oflocomotive boilers the diameter of the boilers is so great that thesesteps which project outward .from the side of the boiler are in linewith the view of the engine crew from the cab and seriously interferewith the view of the track ahead of the locomotive.

Another object of my invention is the provision of a step which is firmand secure, with all of the substantial rigidity common to the old formof steps, and yet provide a step which is firmly attached to thelocomotive boiler, railway car or the like and when not in use can befolded out of the way.

Another and further object of my invention is the provision of a foldingstep which is so designed that when in folded position it issubstantially flush with the body to which it is attached and will notpermit water or dirt to lodge in the step.

These and other objects of my invention will be more fully and betterunderstood by reference to the accompanying sheets of drawings, and inwhich- Figure 1 is an elevational view of my improved step showing it inclosed position on a locomotive boiler;

Figure 2 is a transverse view partially in section of the step shown inFigure 1;

Figure 3 is a transverse view partially in section of a step with aslightly modified form of that illustrated in Figures 1 and 2;

Figure 4 is an elevational view of a boiler step of a modified form inopen position;

Figure 5 is a transverse View partially in section of the stepillustrated in Figure 4;

Figure 6 is a transverse view partially in section of another modifiedform of step;

Figure 7 is an elevational view of a modified form of step;

Figure 8 is a vertical sectional view of the step shownin Figure 7 inclosed position; and

Figure 9 is a vertical sectionalview showing the step in open position.

Referring now specifically to the drawings and in which like referencecharacters refer to like parts throughout, a section of boiler shell 10is shown having the usual jacket 11 applied thereto. A pocket 12 isprovided which has a flange 13 extending therearound and adapted tocover the jacket 11. The pocket 12 preferably is of substantially thesame depth as the distance between the shell 10 and the jacket 11, andis secured to a the boiler shell 10 by means of a plurality of studs 14,14 having nuts 15, 15 on the outer ends thereof.

On the under side of the pocket 12 is provided a pair of transverselyextending ribs-16, 16, these ribs being of sufiicient height tocompensate for the curvature of the boiler shell 10 so that the pocket12 is fitted securely against the outer side of the boiler shell 10.Integrally.

formed with the pocket 12 and extending along the lower side thereof andupward from the flange 13, is a rib portion 17 upon which the step 18 isadapted to rest when in open position. The height of the rib 1'7 mayvary depending upon the distance at which the step is mount- 7 ed fromthe bottom of the pocket 12 as described hereinafter. The step 18 has apair of side flanges 19, 19 formed on the upper side thereof, and at therear portion thereof has an enlarged portion 20 having an opening 21therein through which a bolt 22 extends, the bolt 22 passing through theside walls of the pocket 12 and having a nut 23' on the outer endthereof which fits against a boss 24 formed on the side of the pocket12. A similar boss 24 is formed on the opposite side of the pocket 12against which the head of the bolt 22 is fitted. The bolt 22 forms apivot member upon which the step 18 is mounted and serves to support thestep when in open position.

Formed in the upper part of the pocket 12 is a projecting portion 25having a spring member 26 mounted thereon by means of screws 27, thefree end of the spring member 26 projecting upward and outwardand beingadapted to fit over the upper side of the step 18 so that when the stepis folded into position it passes under the end of the spring 26, whichis bent downwardly slightly, and is held in vertical position withoutdanger of falling down into the view of the engine crew.

In Figure 3 a modified form of the device is shown in which the step isadapted to fit into the pocket 12 in a slightly different manner thanthe form heretofore described, and in which the rib portion 1'? on thepocket 12 is slightly increased in height and a step 27*- providedhaving a slot 28 in the rear portion thereof through which the bolt 22is adapted to pass. This form operates in precisely the same mannerexcept that when in vertical position the step drops downward and restsagainst the lower side of the pocket 12 so that a retaining member isnot needed to hold the step in position in the pocket.

In Figures 4 and 5 a slightly modified form of step is shown and inwhich the step 29 is shown having side ribs 30, 30 formed thereon, andwhich has a downwardly extending head portion 31 having an opening 32therein through which the bolt 22 is adapted to pass. Secured to theupper-flange portion of the pocket 12 is a rotatably mounted latchmember 33 secured in position by a screw 34, this member extendingdownward and adapted to retain the step 39 in folded position whenturned upward into the pocket 15.

In Figure 6 is illustrated a slightly different form of device in whicha step 35 is shown having web side portions 36 with wide rear endportions 37 and having openings 38 therethrough, through which the bolt22 passes in the same manner as heretofore described. The holes in thepocket 12 through which the bolt 22 passes, are placed slightly higherthan in the forms heretofore described because of the slightly differentconstruction of the step at its rear end and of course must be in properregister with the openings 38 in the side portion of the step to holdthe step in horizontal position when open.

Referring to Figures 7, 8 and 9, in which a modified form of step isillustrated, a pocket 39 is shown having ribs 40 and 41 formed at therear portion adapted to engage the boiler shell 10 and is held inposition by a plurality of studs 14, 14, having nuts 15, 15 on the outerends.

The pocket 39 has a flange 42 extending com-- pletely therearound andhas an outer upwardly extending projecting wall 43 which is formedintegral with the pocket 39 and terminates short of the wall of thepocket at-the upper side so that an opening or slot 44 is formed in thepocket at the upper side thereof.

A step 45 is provided which in normal enclosed position is adapted tofit in edgewise position in the pocket 39*, the step having side flangeportions 46 formed thereon and an enlarged portion 47 at the rear endwhich curves upward into a hooked form 48, with a seat 49 being formedtherein. A bolt 50 is passed through the pocket 39 'and is adapted toengage in the seat 49 formed in the rear side of the step when the stepis in open position. The step in 'open position is held by the bolt 50and upper edge of the member 43 upon which the step rests (Fig. 9). Thestep 45 is placed in the pocket 39 before the bolt 50 is inserted in thestep and after the bolt 50 is inserted it is impossible to remove thestep 45. A pair of slots 51, 51 are cut through the portion 48 of thestep 45 so that the step will pass over the nuts 15.

In operation of the device it will be understood that an opening is cutin the boiler jacket 11 of suflicient size to receive the pocket 12 andthe studs 14, 14 placed in position in the boiler shell 10 and thepocket 12, which preferably theretofore has had the step mounted thereinis placed in position against the boiler shell 10 and secured firmlythereto by means of the studs 14 and nuts 15.

When it is desired to use the step it is only necessary to release theretaining'members 26 or 33, as the .case may be, and allow the step todrop down into extended position. After the step is used, it is foldedback up into the pocket 12 where it is flush with the jacket of theboiler and does not interfere with the vision of the engine crew, andalso substantially covers the opening in the pocket 12.

Drain holes 39, 39 are provided through which water lodged in the pocket12 drains, so that water or dirt will not lodge in the pocket 12.

In the form shown in Figures 7, 8 and 9, the pocket 39 is secured to theside of the boiler 10 by the studs 14, 14, the step 45 is inserted inthe pocket 39* through the slot 44, and the bolt 50 placed in positionthrough the pocket. When it is desired to use the step, the operatorgrasps the outer edge of the step 45 and lifts it up until the seat'49is in engagement with the bolt 50, and the step thereafter turned downinto the position shown in Figure 9. When through using the step, theoperator merely lifts the outer end of the step 45 and it falls backinto the pocket 39*.

The device is shown as applied to a locomotive, but may be attached tothe side of a railway car, an airplane body, or the like, as may bedesired.

While I have described more or less precisely the details ofconstruction,I do not wish to be understood as limiting myself thereto,as I contemplate changes in form and the proportion of parts and thesubstitution of equivalents as circumstances may suggest or renderexpedient without departing from the spirit or scope of my invention. a

I claim:

1. A step for locomotives, comprising in combination a pocket, meanswhereby the said pocket is secured to a locomotive, a step havingopenings therein, abolt adapted to pass through the openings in saidstep and through said pocket, and a spring detent member adapted to holdsaid step in folded position.

' 2. A step for locomotives, comprising in combination a pocket, meanswhereby the said pocket is secured to a locomotive, a step havingopenings therein, a bolt adapted to pass through the openings in saidstep and through the said pocket, and a retaining member whereby thesaidstep is held in folded position.

3. A step for locomotives, comprising in combination a pocket, meanswhereby the said pocket is secured to a locomotive, a step havingopenings therein, a bolt adapted to pass through the openings in'saidstep and through the said pocket, and a latch member adapted to holdsaid step in folded position. I

4. A step for locomotives, comprising in combination a pocket, meanswhereby the said pocket is secured to a locomotive, a step havingopenings therein, a bolt adapted to pass through the openings in saidstep'and through the said pocket, and a rotatably mounted latch memberadapted to hold said step in folded position.

GEORGE. S. GOODWIN.

